A process is described for preparing acylglycinates of the formula (I) wherein R is a linear or branched saturated alkanoyl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms or is a linear or branched singly or multiply unsaturated alkenoyl group having 6 to 30 carbon atoms and Q is a cation selected from the alkali metals Na and K the process being characterized in that glycine is reacted with fatty acid chloride RCl wherein R possesses the definition stated in formula (I) in water and in the presence of a basic alkali metal compound which yields cations Q selected from Na and K but in the absence of organic solvents at 25 50°C and the fraction of fatty acid chloride RCl containing unsaturated acyl groups R having 18 carbon atoms based on the total amount of fatty acid chloride used is greater than or equal to 2.0% by weight and at the same time the fraction of fatty acid chloride containing saturated acyl groups having 8 and 10 carbon atoms based on the total amount of fatty acid chloride used is greater than or equal to in each case 3.0% by weight. Also described are compositions comprising acylglycinates of the formula (I).
